“We always had the upper end, but it was kind of discreet,” said local realtor Jack Hoffmann, who 20 years ago founded the company Venice Properties. “In 1994 we had 17 murders in one neighborhood. That tended to quiet the incoming enthusiasm. Today, people sort of forget about that. Gangs still exist, but they’re not as flagrant. They sell their drugs, just more peacefully.”

Kindler, gentler crack dealers have meant that 3,000-square-foot beachfront condos that a few years ago went for $800,000 now are asking $2.7 million.

From an article about the gentrification of Venice, CA by Nicole LaPorte in the 7/18 New York Observer. Venice was once the sole non-exclusive beach neighorhood between Ventura and San Pedro. The piece, “Venicewood,” is chock full of great observations and quotes about what happens when Hollywood meets the beach.

H/t: Defamer

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 13th, 2005 at 10:45 pm by A Senior Administration Official and is filed under California Schemin', Funny ... to us. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.